Archive for December, 2011
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Mobilization this Weekend
December 30th, 2011 | 
Author: This weekend the LPD will be participating in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security/Highway Safety Divisions’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Mobilization. Remember to always make sure you have a designated driver if you’ve been drinking. Have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve!
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Child Injured In Lowell Cemetery
At approximately 4:07 p.m. this afternoon, police and emergency medical personnel responded to the Edson Cemetery located at 1275 Gorham Street in Lowell. A 7-year-old child was seriously injured while visiting the cemetery with her mother. The child’s 33-year-old mother, of Dracut, MA; was allegedly visiting the gravesite of a relative and had brought her 7-year-old daughter and a friend (of the daughter). The child and her friend were allegedly near a gravestone when the gravestone toppled and fell on the child (daughter). The gravestone was described as being approximately 3-feet-high by 4-feet-wide. The child suffered serious injuries to the left side of her body and has been flown by helicopter to a Boston hospital. Her present condition is not known at this time. It is currently under investigation as to what may have caused the gravestone to fall on the child. The identities of any involved persons are not being released at this time.
Non-Sworn Job Opening at LPD – Program Manager
Non-sworn Job Opening at the LPD: http://www.lowellma.gov/depts/hr/job-postings/jobposting.2011-12-23.3475880146
Qualified individuals may submit a City of Lowell Application with their resume, along with a cover letter to:
Via email to: Mary Callery via cityjobs@lowellma.gov … Please list the job title in the email subject line.
Via fax to: (978)-446-7102
Via mail to: City Hall Human Relations Office 375 Merrimack Street, Room 19 Lowell, MA 01852
Lowell Police Sergeant Awarded
Lowell Police Sergeant Thomas J. Daly Jr. has been selected as this year’s recipient of the “Exceptional Service Award” by the NEMLEC (Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council) Exceptional Service Award Committee. Sgt. Daly was honored at the NEMLEC Annual Meeting luncheon held 12/14 at the Café Escadrille in Burlington, MA.
Sergeant Daly was recognized for his direction, planning, coordination, and execution of the NEMLEC Motor (motorcycle) Unit. His performance was described as, “going above and beyond the call of duty.” Specifically, Sergeant Daly coordinated the NEMLEC Motor Unit’s response to several funeral processions related to recent and tragic deaths of police officers and military personnel within the NEMLEC community. The funerals included the deaths of Lowell police officer P.J. Johnson, Woburn police officer Jack Maguire, and Sergeant Bill Woitowicz, USMC, of Groton, MA who was killed-in-action in Afghanistan.
“Stated simply, the NEMLEC Motor Unit would seize to exist as we know it were it not for the extraordinary performance of Sgt. Daly,” said the Chief of Police in Arlington, MA Frederick Ryan.
Sergeant Daly is an eighteen-year veteran of the Lowell Police Department.
Traffic Alert – 12/16 and 12/19
On Friday, 12/16/11 Lowell Connector Southbound will be reduced from two travel lanes to one lane to allow the installation and relocation of the temporary barrier as shown on the stage three traffic management plan. This work will be done during the day starting at 9:00AM to 4:00PM. On Monday, 12/19/11 Lowell Connector Northbound travel lanes will be reduced from two to one same as above for the same barrier relocation work. Work will performed between 7:00AM to 3:00PM.
Two robberies, two brave officers; only one lives to see honor
By Katie Lannan, The Lowell Sun
November 19, 2011
BOSTON — A Lowell police officer who dodged bullets to chase a bank-robbery suspect was one of 27 law-enforcement officers honored yesterday by Gov. Deval Patrick, with the ceremony’s top honor bestowed upon a Woburn police officer and Wilmington resident who was killed while responding to a separate robbery.
Lowell police Sgt. Stephen Morrill received a Medal of Valor at the 28th annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for his actions responding to an attempted robbery at the Lowell Co-operative Bank on Hurd Street in August 2010. The robbery suspect attempted to lure Morrill into the bank to take him hostage, before running away. Morrill followed and was shot at twice.
“The guy tried to kill him twice, but Steve was able to use his training and his abilities and his knowledge and was able to prevent that from happening,” said Lowell Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee, who nominated Morrill for the award.
Secretary of Public Safety and Security Mary Beth Heffernan, who presented the awards, said Morrill followed the suspect closely through city streets until additional officers arrived for backup.
The suspect committed suicide before police could reach him.
“A police officer can never know what danger lies ahead when he or she responds to a call,” Heffernan said at the Statehouse ceremony. “The actions of Sgt. Stephen Morrill, relentlessly pursuing an armed gunman who twice fired at him, were the epitome of determination and bravery.” Morrill, a 24-year veteran of the department, said he was humbled to receive the award.
“I go to work every day, and I just do my job,” he said. “Anybody in the Lowell Police Department in that same situation would have done the same thing. Our training kicks and we just do our job.”
The Hanna Awards commemorate Massachusetts State Trooper George L. Hanna, who died in 1983 after being shot multiple times by a man whose car he stopped for questioning in Auburn.
Patrick said the awards are given to officers who have demonstrated bravery that goes above and beyond expectations.
“In recognition of the courageous and selfless actions these heroes displayed, Massachusetts owes them a debt of gratitude,” he said.
Morrill is the second Lowell officer to receive a Hanna Award. Officer Howard Osborne earned a Medal of Honor in 1991 for his response to an armed robbery of a grocery store.
Officer John “Jack” Maguire, a Woburn police officer killed while responding to a botched jewelry robbery in December 2010, posthumously received the ceremony’s top honor. The family of Maguire, who lived in Wilmington, was presented with a Medal of Honor award. Police said Maguire was shot and killed by Domenic Cinelli, a career criminal who also died in the exchange of gunfire.
Maguire’s killing led to an overhaul of the state parole board. Patrick fired five members of the board who voted in 2008 to grant parole to Cinelli despite his history of violent crime.
Cinelli had been sentenced to life in prison in Suffolk County and later received two concurrent life sentences for crimes committed in Middlesex County. The officer’s slaying also prompted renewed calls for tougher laws against habitual offenders. Earlier this week, the House passed a measure that would prohibit anyone who has been convicted of a third serious felony from being considered for parole. The state Senate included a similar provision as part of a broader anti-crime package. A final bill is possible sometime after the first of the year.
Officers from Boston, Fall River, Everett, Chelsea were also presented with awards for bravery, as were officers from the Massachusetts State Police, FBI and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Some material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Four Arrested In Friday Afternoon Home Invasion
On Friday (12/9/11) afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. police responded to the second floor apartment at527 Rogers Streetfor a home invasion. Police found and spoke to the 22-year-old male occupant who stated that he was asleep in his bedroom when he was awakened by a noise in his apartment. The victim alleged that he was then confronted by four masked males, one of whom wielded a golf club. The victim was allegedly tied up with belts and the four suspects rummaged through his apartment. The suspects allegedly stole an undisclosed amount of marijuana, (2) laptop computers and other items from the apartment. The victim was not injured during this incident.
The search for the suspects involved detectives, uniformed officers, and a K-9 unit. Bruce Benitez and Jose Gonzalez, both 17 and ofLowellwere found hiding in a shed onPerry Street. Benitez and Gonzalez were placed under arrest and charged with Armed Home Invasion and Larceny of Property Valued Over $250. Detectives later located Nicholas Hunt, 18 and Bryan Rodriguez, 17 both of Lowell. Hunt and Rodriguez were found onDelmont Avenueand placed under arrest for Armed Home Invasion and Larceny of Property Valued Over $250.
This home invasion does not appear to be a random act and was most likely a “drug rip.” The investigation into this incident is continuing.
These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty
10-Year-Old Boy Allegedly Used In Drug Dealing Operation
On Saturday, December 3rd, 2011; members of the Lowell PD’s Special Investigations Section (SIS) under the command of Lt. Barry Golner, were involved in an investigation related to illegal narcotics distribution. Shortly after 12:10 p.m., police stopped Freddie Morales-Lugo, 30, of Haverhill who was operating a blue Mitsubishi Endeavor on Plain Street inLowell. After being assisted by a police narcotic K-9 unit, detectives found approximately 472 grams of cocaine and a loaded 9mm handgun within a “mechanical hide” located inside the vehicle. Morales-Lugo was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Cocaine (Over 200 grams), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm, Possession of Ammunition, Possession of a Large Capacity (firearm) Feeding Device, and Trafficking in Cocaine within 1000 feet of a School Zone (Laura Lee Public School).
A short time later and related to this investigation, SIS detectives, while conducting surveillance of16 Barclay StreetinLowell; had the occasion to encounter a 10-year-old boy who was seen exiting 16 Barclay Street in Lowell and carrying a bag. With the assistance of a police narcotic K-9 Unit, detectives found the bag to contain a small amount of cocaine, $3000.00 in cash, and items consistent in the illegal sale of narcotics. Police allege that the boy’s aunt, Yina Gonzalez, 30, of16 Barclay Streethad sent her nephew with the items in the bag across the street to hide the evidence from the police. Yina Gonzalez was arrested and charged with Distribution of Cocaine to a Minor.
Detectives later obtained and executed a search warrant at16 Barclay Street. During the search, detectives recovered a .357 caliber handgun, cash, cocaine, ammunition, and other items consistent with the illegal sale of narcotics. Yina Gonzalez was also charged with Trafficking in Cocaine (Over 200 grams), Trafficking in Cocaine within 1000 feet of a School Zone (MollyPublic School), Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Ammunition, and Unlawful Storage of a Firearm. Freddie Morales-Lugo and Yina Gonzalez were also charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Narcotics Laws.
The Department of Child Services was notified and will investigate the matter related to the 10-year-old boy. Both defendants are expected to be arraigned on Monday in Lowell District Court.
“I applaud the excellent work by the officers and detectives involved in this investigation. It’s simply outrageous and a sad commentary on society that adults would allegedly use and ultimately abuse a child in their alleged secreting of illegal narcotic evidence. We will be working closely with the District Attorney’s Office to ensure these individuals are prosecuted within the full extent of the law,” said Superintendent Ken Lavallee of the Lowell Police Department.
These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
LPD Accepting Lateral Transfers
The Lowell Police Department will be accepting Lateral Transfer Applications from permanent, full-time Massachusetts police officers employed by a Civil Service Police Department.
Please forward to any interested officers. Deadline for submitting applications will be January 7, 2012.
Lateral Transfers Announcement
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